As I meandered the streets of Rochester to attend the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival (XRIJF), Club Pass in hand, greeted by varying temperatures and weather conditions, enthusiastic volunteers and vendors, and musicians and listeners, a prevalent theme arose from the event. While the producers of this jazz festival, John Nugent and Marc Iacona continue to tout the catch phrase, “It’s not who you know, it’s who you don’t know!,” addressing the eagerness to listen to a variety of jazz musicians and talent in town, to me the characteristics that emerged from the music festival were a promotion for love, peace, and happiness.

During my trek around town, I kept finding myself smiling with agreement at the actions of others as humanity and respect resounded in the space around me. I witnessed one woman running down another to give back the cell phone that had been left behind, or another man in his forties giving back money that had fallen from a young woman’s jacket as she made an egress from the auditorium, cell phones actually be silenced during a show, and polite consideration of others, as well as musicians staying after to help teach the young and impressionable music students the fine art of having fun with their instruments, or witnessing the genuine gratitude and belief in love and peace as one artist made it a point to hug and thank every person that stayed after to buy a CD or converse with him. While I was only able to catch a meager 14 shows, two musicians in particular portrayed this very theme: Buckwheat Zydeco who sang about “Unity,” and “Peace, love and happiness,” and Baye Kouyate, a Malian griot (West African poet) who performaned in Kilbourn Hall chanted about “Love and peace,” and then would motion to his heart and hold up the universal two-finger peace sign.

Baye Kouyate, a Malian griot, demonstrates his percussion expertise on the talking drum.

The nine day culmination of the XRIJF demonstrated an uplifting journey of a community coming together, especially at a time when other parts of the world are in upheaval and at war. Our city unified in celebration of the growth of the Rochester Jazz Festival. We were entertained with the various forms, origins, and expressions of jazz music and improvisation; we gazed upon strangers behaving kindly to each other no matter their background, gave respect to our fellow neighbors, celebrated the differences in culture, and observed a city showing signs of life and unity, if even for just a few days.

In addition, we reveled in the notion of being part of history from Friday nights (6-19-09) show. We heard the blues of music legend Taj Mahal and the growing talent from The Susan Tedeschi band who was starting their international tour with Rochester, play to a sold out crowd. And as it was explained to us, Friday night’s attendance would be the last time the Eastman Theatre would hold a crowd of that magnitude as after renovations the theater would diminish in seating capacity.

The Jazz festival has gone beyond providing a venue for us to witness talented musicians and delighting our senses with jazz music. I believe it also has been about sharing of the arts and cultural world of jazz, demonstrating the interconnecting language of music and the soul, and of promoting a unified expression of love, peace, and happiness.

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Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.